Mountains

Siler Bald via the AT

Highlights: grassy summit, views, fall foliage, Appalachian Trail, Nantahala National Forest Distance:  3.6 mile out and back Elevation change:  1,000 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: Wayah Gap picnic area on Wayah Road, about 14 miles west of Franklin NC Website: AllTrails Beer Pairings: Lazy Hiker Brewing: Springer Fever pilsner and 20 Mile IPA The […]

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Sharp Top

Highlights: rocky summit, views, fall foliage, rocky summit Distance:  2.8 mile out and back Elevation change: 1,200 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/Difficult Trailhead Parking: Blue Ridge Parkway, mile post 85 Website: National Park Service Beer Pairings: Parkway Brewing : Get Bent IPA & Ravens Roost baltic porter The Hike: This is a great Blue Ridge Parkway

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Sandy Mush Bald

Highlights: bald summit, wildflowers, wildlife, great views, hike-in lodge Distance:  6.6 mile out and back Elevation change: 1,850 feet Difficulty level: Difficult Trailhead Parking: 19001 NC-209 Hot Springs, NC Website: Cabins at Sandy Mush Bald Beer Pairings: Asheville Brewing Company Perfect Day IPA and 828 pale ale The Hike: Sandy Mush Bald was one of the

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Mount Rogers

Highlights: wild ponies, wildflowers, wildlife, great views, highest peak in Virginia Distance:  8.9 mile loop Elevation change: 1,300 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/difficult Trailhead Parking: Grayson Highland State Park, Massie Gap parking area; park fee required Website: Grayson Highland State Park Trail Guide Beer Pairings: South Street Brewery Satan’s Pony The Hike: At a height of

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Wilburn Ridge via the AT

Highlights: wild ponies, wildflowers, wildlife, great views Distance:  4.0 mile loop Elevation change: 850 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: Grayson Highland State Park, Massie Gap parking area; park fee required Website: Grayson Highland State Park Trail Guide Beer Pairings: Damascus Brewery-Preppy Harvard Boy IPA & Beaver Ridge IPA The Hike: This hike is a

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Humpback Rocks

Highlights: mountain views, rocky summit, Appalachian Trail Distance:  3.8 out and back Elevation change:  1,120 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Visitor Center, Blue Ridge Parkway mile 5.8 Website: National Park Service Beer Pairings: Pro Re Nata Brewery, Crozet VA Hop Drone IPA & Tapped Out pilsner The Hike: This popular hike can be crowded

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Crabtree Falls (Virginia)

Highlights: Highest waterfalls east of the Mississippi, classic Virginia bucket list hike  Distance: 4 mile out and back Elevation change:  1,070 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/strenuous Trailhead Parking: Crabtree Falls day use parking area, off state route 56 in Nelson county VA. $3 parking fee. Website: US Forest Service Beer Pairings: Blue Mountain Native Species pale

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The Great Channels

Highlights: amazing rock formations, slot-canyon rock maze, wildflowers  Distance:  6 mile out and back Elevation change:  1,280 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: Hayter’s Gap, route 80 Saltville VA. Note the parking area is very small and has spaces for just 10 vehicles. Parking on route 80 is not permitted.  Website: Virginia Dept. of Forestry 

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Chestnut Knob

Highlights: Burke’s Garden, views, bald summit, Appalachian Trail Distance:  4.2 mile out and back Elevation change:  1,400 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: From Burke’s Garden General Store on route 623, continue south east for 1.1 miles. Turn left on route 727 and follow for 4 miles until the road becomes a one lane dirt

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Black Balsam Knob, Tennent Mountain, and Ivestor Gap Loop

Highlights: mountain views, bald summit, wild flowers in spring Distance:  4.6 mile loop Elevation change:  700 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: Blue Ridge Parkway mile 420, turn right on Black Balsam Road/Forest Road 816 and drive 1.2 miles to the trailhead Website: US Forest Service Beer Pairings: Green Man Brewery-Green Man IPA & Green

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